GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.– Former superintendent Bernard Taylor is suing Grand Rapids Public School district over a breach of separation agreement.
The complaint was filed Thursday afternoon in federal court. It says according to Taylor’s employment contract, the board could have ended Taylor’s employment with a 180-day notice and no requirement to share the reason for dismissal, and with no right for him to challenge. Instead, the board negotiated a severance agreement. As part of the agreement, he agreed to release all claims in exchange for the compensation. The district has not paid any of the severance stating claims of mismanagement and misconduct during Taylor’s active service period.
Taylor is seeking a $330,600 severance payment that the district agreed to pay him in June 2012. This includes his court costs and legal fees. This fee is equal to 18 months of salary for the superintendent.
He was superintendent of the district from April of 2006 to June of 2012.
